My Journey to Pursuing a DBA: A Path Shaped by Experience, Entrepreneurship, and Maturity

Guest Blogger:
Ali Chaari

For many professionals, returning to school after years or even decades in the workforce may feel like a distant dream or even impossible. However, I now realize that professional experience isn’t a barrier to continuing formal education. Instead, it is an invaluable asset.

My decision to pursue a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) didn’t come right after graduating with an engineering degree. Instead, it is the fruit of my 20 years of experience in engineering, project management, entrepreneurship, and a master’s degree in management. If I had pursued a PhD immediately after earning my undergraduate degree, I would have missed out on the practical knowledge and global perspective that now inspire my research. From observing challenges linked to quality and supplier management while working for Alstom Transport to my experience carrying out technical audits worldwide as a project and quality manager, these firsthand experiences have shaped my dedication to addressing business challenges through my academic journey.

Originally from Tunisia, I've always dreamed of setting up my own business and creating something impactful in my homeland. After gaining solid experience, I founded a startup in Tunisia. This venture immersed me in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, where I encountered numerous challenges, particularly in accessing finance and resources for growth. In this context, I had the opportunity to interact with many players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and to witness the challenges they face. Observing the struggles of startups and the gaps in the ecosystem sparked a desire within me to study and understand this environment more deeply. This led me to explore academic programs that could help me bridge the gap between theory and practice. After some online research, I discovered some DBA programs that seemed particularly interesting. So, I decided to go for it.

My research topic for the DBA focuses on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tunisia, specifically exploring ways to enhance its sustainability and promote the creation of new ventures. I aim to assist existing businesses in growing more efficiently by making practical recommendations that draw upon a blend of academic literature on entrepreneurial ecosystems and my own professional experience. My goal is to illuminate the challenges faced by this ecosystem from the perspective of its stakeholders and to propose both academic and managerial solutions to improve it. I'm currently pursuing my DBA while continuing to work on my startup as well as for my customers in Germany. I have also applied to an incubation program to gain further insight into the Tunisian market and explore investment opportunities. 

I realize that if I had chosen to do a PhD straight after my engineering studies, I would have missed out on many learning opportunities. Comparing my state of mind 20 years ago and today, I see a considerable gap in maturity and understanding. Back then, I had limited experience, having studied mainly in Tunisia, whereas today, I have visited over 20 countries and gained extensive international experience. This exposure has shaped my thinking, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of diverse cultures and markets.

With this maturity, I am convinced that my current research will be far more valuable to academia and managers than if I had pursued a PhD 20 years ago. My 20 years of experience have given me skills and knowledge that I can apply directly to my research work. For me, the DBA is a better option than a PhD, as it encourages me to tackle concrete topics from my daily life and professional experience. Unlike a traditional PhD, which often focuses on theoretical research, the DBA emphasizes practical, real-world applications. 

Of course, this extraordinary, valuable journey is not empty of painful challenges. As a father with two children, and in addition to my freelance activity, which requires me to travel every week, juggling my family, professional, and academic responsibilities is a complex time management task. Finding the right balance is essential, but it requires rigorous organization and discipline. The second big challenge for me is the scientific writing. After 20 years in the professional world, where I mainly wrote emails and short reports, I realized that academic writing requires different rigor and style. Learning to structure my ideas and express them formally has been a valuable learning experience in and of itself.

My path towards a DBA is the result of deep reflection on my experiences as an entrepreneur and the lessons learned from my years in business. I'm convinced that this path is the best one for me, as it enables me to combine theory and practice while contributing to developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tunisia. Going back to school later in life is not just possible; it has been one of my best decisions. My story is proof that education doesn’t have an expiration date, and the lessons learned from years in the field can make academic research even more impactful.

Bio:
Ali Chaari is an experienced engineer and quality manager with over 20 years of experience across multiple industries, including rail and automotive. Based in Germany as a freelance consultant, he has worked with major clients like Airbus Helicopters and Alstom Transport while also founding a startup in Tunisia. Fluent in multiple languages, he balances his career, family life, and a DBA degree focused on enhancing Tunisia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a passion for music in his spare time.